Builder Copa owes archaeologists for research at the National

Prague - The builder of the multifunctional Copa Center above the National Avenue metro station in Prague owes archaeologists nearly 9.4 million for the research. Zdeňka Kalová, spokesperson for the National Heritage Institute, which is overseeing the excavations, told ČTK. Therefore, archaeologists halted the research at the beginning of December, delaying the construction of the Copa Center.
According to Kalová, the work was stopped after a prior call to the investor. "By the end of 2009, there were three invoices for the months of October to December totaling 9,387,431.27 crowns," the spokesperson stated.
"In over 15 years of working in development in Prague, I have become accustomed to various entities trying to publicize even the smallest problems instead of attempting to resolve them together with us. Nevertheless, I am surprised by the non-standard approach of the National Heritage Institute; I would expect a more professional attitude from a government institution," wrote Sebastian Pawlowski, owner of Copa Group, the investor in the construction, in a statement to ČTK. Kalová justified the publication of the dispute by saying there were false information that allegedly appeared in the media.
Excavations at the site of the future Copa Center began at the end of July. Archaeologists consider the research to be one of the most important in the city center in recent times. So far, they have examined about two-thirds of the area. Near Spálená Street, they managed to uncover 11 intact Gothic cellars of houses that were demolished here in the second half of the 20th century. They now want to apply for their declaration as a cultural monument.
Due to disagreements between the investor and the archaeologists, not only the construction of the Copa Center is delayed, but also the reconstruction of the metro station. It is expected to be closed for ten months. According to Ondřej Pečený, spokesperson for the transport company, the repairs, which will include the construction of an accessible elevator, will begin several weeks to months after the start of construction of the Copa Center.
"About 40 working days are needed to complete the project, assuming all areas are handed over for research at once," Kalová added.